Simplify High Yield ETF (CDX) belongs to the High Yield Bonds category. Below you'll find alternative ETFs from the same category, ranked by key criteria, plus funds that investors commonly compare with CDX. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to CDX
CDX charges 0.25% annually. There are 16 ETFs in the High Yield Bonds category with lower expense ratios, going as low as 0.03%.
| Symbol | Name | Expense Ratio | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Schwab High Yield Bond ETF | 0.03% | 2.68B | Jul 2023 | CDX vs SCYB | |
| SPDR Portfolio High Yield Bond ETF | 0.05% | 11.41B | Jun 2012 | CDX vs SPHY | |
| Nuveen High Yield Corporate Bond ETF | 0.08% | 1.71B | Sep 2025 | CDX vs NHYB | |
| Xtrackers USD High Yield Corporate Bond ETF | 0.15% | 3.54B | Dec 2016 | CDX vs HYLB | |
| iShares Broad USD High Yield Corporate Bond ETF | 0.15% | 28.80B | Oct 2017 | CDX vs USHY |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to CDX
CDX has a PortfoliosLab risk / return rank of 6. There are 90 ETFs in the High Yield Bonds category with higher risk-adjusted ranks, going as high as 96.
| Symbol | Name | Risk / Return Rank | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Invesco BulletShares 2026 High Yield Corp Bond ETF | 96 | 907.20M | Aug 2018 | CDX vs BSJQ | |
| Invesco BulletShares 2027 High Yield Corporate Bon... | 90 | 852.94M | Sep 2019 | CDX vs BSJR | |
| WisdomTree Interest Rate Hedged High Yield Bond Fu... | 89 | 255.19M | Dec 2013 | CDX vs HYZD | |
| iShares iBonds 1-5 Year High Yield and Income Ladd... | 88 | 22.06M | Nov 2024 | CDX vs LDRH | |
| iShares iBonds 2027 Term High Yield and Income ETF | 87 | 499.12M | Jul 2021 | CDX vs IBHG |
Top Performing CDX Alternatives (YTD)
CDX is at -2.68% YTD. There are 96 ETFs in the High Yield Bonds category with higher YTD returns, going as high as 8.09%.
| Symbol | Name | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Digital Asset Debt Strategy ETF | 8.09% | — | Aug 2025 | CDX vs DADS | |
| Man Active High Yield ETF | 5.06% | 19.82M | Sep 2025 | CDX vs MHY | |
| ProShares High Yield-Interest Rate Hedged | 4.22% | 179.11M | May 2013 | CDX vs HYHG | |
| VanEck Vectors Emerging Markets High Yield Bond ET... | 4.07% | 522.28M | May 2012 | CDX vs HYEM | |
| iShares Interest Rate Hedged High Yield Bond ETF | 3.61% | 566.14M | May 2014 | CDX vs HYGH |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to CDX
CDX has 5.83% 1-year volatility. There are 100 ETFs in the High Yield Bonds category with lower 1-year volatility, going as low as 0.00%.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xtrackers J.P. Morgan ESG USD High Yield Corporate... | 0.00% | 6.49M | Mar 2015 | CDX vs ESHY | |
| Invesco BulletShares 2026 High Yield Corp Bond ETF | 1.35% | 907.20M | Aug 2018 | CDX vs BSJQ | |
| Pacific Global Senior Loan ETF | 1.47% | 637.48M | Feb 2015 | CDX vs FLRT | |
| State Street My2027 High Yield Corporate Bond ETF | 1.84% | 4.98M | Feb 2026 | CDX vs MYHA | |
| Invesco BulletShares 2027 High Yield Corporate Bon... | 1.96% | 852.94M | Sep 2019 | CDX vs BSJR |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to CDX
CDX has a 1-year max drawdown of -4.18%. There are 86 ETFs in the High Yield Bonds category with shallower 1-year drawdowns, going as shallow as -0.54%.
| Symbol | Name | Max Drawdown 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Invesco BulletShares 2026 High Yield Corp Bond ETF | -0.54% | 907.20M | Aug 2018 | CDX vs BSJQ | |
| iShares iBonds 2027 Term High Yield and Income ETF | -0.73% | 499.12M | Jul 2021 | CDX vs IBHG | |
| Invesco BulletShares 2027 High Yield Corporate Bon... | -1.16% | 852.94M | Sep 2019 | CDX vs BSJR | |
| iShares iBonds 2028 Term High Yield and Income ETF | -1.22% | 450.96M | Mar 2022 | CDX vs IBHH | |
| iShares iBonds 1-5 Year High Yield and Income Ladd... | -1.23% | 22.06M | Nov 2024 | CDX vs LDRH |
Other ETFs from Simplify
The 10 most viewed Simplify ETFs shown here include SVOL, CTA, HEQT and span 16 categories. AUM among these funds goes as high as $2B.
| Symbol | Name | Category | Risk / Return Rank | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Simplify Volatility Premium ETF | Volatility | 27 | 2.12% | 538.77M | May 2021 | CDX vs SVOL | |
| Simplify Managed Futures Strategy ETF | Systematic Trend | 9 | 0.33% | 1.51B | Mar 2022 | CDX vs CTA | |
| Simplify Hedged Equity ETF | Equity Hedged, Options Trading, Actively Managed | 76 | 5.68% | 300.35M | Nov 2021 | CDX vs HEQT | |
| Simplify Treasury Option Income ETF | Government Bonds, Ultrashort Bond, Derivative Income | 95 | 2.36% | 474.96M | Oct 2022 | CDX vs BUCK | |
| Simplify Bitcoin Strategy PLUS Income ETF | Cryptocurrency, Derivative Income | 1 | -36.84% | 25.97M | Sep 2022 | CDX vs MAXI | |
| Simplify Interest Rate Hedge ETF | Hedge Fund | 6 | -0.95% | 167.19M | May 2021 | CDX vs PFIX | |
| Simplify Enhanced Income ETF | Derivative Income, Dividend | 5 | -0.37% | 71.03M | Oct 2022 | CDX vs HIGH | |
| Simplify Aggregate Bond ETF | Intermediate Core Bond | 45 | 0.00% | 570.38M | Feb 2022 | CDX vs AGGH | |
| Simplify MBS ETF | Mortgage Backed Securities | 40 | -0.33% | 1.53B | Nov 2023 | CDX vs MTBA | |
| Simplify Gold Strategy PLUS Income ETF | Gold, Leveraged Commodities, Precious Metals | 12 | -20.87% | 37.25M | Dec 2024 | CDX vs YGLD |
Often Compared With CDX
Investors most often compare CDX with SGOV, CRDT, JBND. These 20 comparison targets span 14 categories, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
Compare CDX with Any Fund or Stock
Compare CDX with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.
Pair CDX with funds that move differently
Simplify High Yield ETF alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to CDX.
Explore CDX Diversifiers